Meghalaya Border Village Protests Fence Alignment, Fears Being Cut Off From Rest of India

Residents of Lyngkhong village along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district staged a protest on Sunday, demanding that the proposed border fence be constructed along the zero line instead of its current alignment, which they fear could leave the settlement isolated from the rest of India.

The villagers submitted a memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Pynursla, seeking an immediate halt to the ongoing work. They stressed that they are not opposed to fencing but want the project implemented in a way that keeps the village within the security barrier .

Located almost on the international boundary, Lyngkhong is one of the few villages where homes stand just metres from settlements in Bangladesh. Under prevailing norms, border fencing is generally built at least 150 yards from the border , a requirement residents say would place their homes outside the fenced area.

Village head Ramu Khongsdir said the proposed alignment would create concerns over access, security and the village's long-term future. Local resident Rima Khongsdir urged the state government to raise the matter with the Centre.

The dispute is not new. Villagers had opposed a similar fencing plan years ago, arguing that it would separate them from the country. During the Covid-19 pandemic, residents erected a bamboo barrier along the border, which remains a visible symbol of their concerns. Earlier reports noted that only a handful of structures, including a primary school, would remain inside the fence if the original alignment were implemented.

Officials said fencing is continuing as part of efforts to secure the frontier. Meghalaya shares a 444-km border with Bangladesh , of which nearly 400 km has already been fenced , leaving only 40-45 km pending because of difficult terrain, local opposition and alignment disputes.

A senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said an outpost has already been established in Lyngkhong and security arrangements are in place. State officials said India has proposed single-row fencing at the zero line in settlement areas like Lyngkhong and has taken up the matter with Bangladesh. Meghalaya has also urged the Union government to allow zero-line fencing where villages and farmland could otherwise be adversely affected. However, a final decision from Bangladesh is still awaited.